For those who have a cupcake businesses, does being at a food show and passing out samples help increase business? There is a chocolate festival coming up in March that I hope to be able to go to but was wondering if its worth the trouble of making all the samples to pass out.

Depends. I have had both good and bad experiences. One I went to in the spring, I ended up with 2 weddings out of it and some other orders. So that worked out great! They are doing another one in October that I am going to. I think what makes it so successful in the other vendors that are there. This is sort of a tasting of different foods and alcohol. Plus they have a band. You are always going to get the people that are going to say, "I am going to definitly call you" and never do. I would take a look at the specifics of the event and ask them how many people they expect. I would love to go to a Bridal Show but around here they are $400-$500 just to set up a table and I can't afford that right now. I always say, that it doesn't hurt to try it. One event I did, I didn't think that I was going to do well at all because it was a fundraiser for the local Mom's Club. Well I did great and got a lot of orders from it. Whatever I have leftover, I always donate to the Fire Dept, Police Dept, Hospital, etc. It gets my name out there and also is a tax write off.

I also basically had the same results as the above poster You have to know your area; how many are expected; is this the 1st time for the event, ect, etc.

You can also do some giveaways besides cupcakes. Something with your name and phone number on it. Cute pens, even refrigerator magnets. You might get one in the shape of a cupcake and have your logo and phone number and website address on it if you have it. I always keep the refrigerator magnets. They're pretty handy. And your information is easily accessible when someone is trying to remember where they got those great cupcakes at that show.
Just a thought!

I agree with carmijok about the pens and magnet, business cards and brochures find their way in to garbage cans pretty quick. The cupcake magnets with your info would be really cute.

I've done several bridal shows and usually booked a dozen or so weddings from each. The last one I didn't book anything. You just never know, but the whole thing went down as business expense on my taxes.

There is an annual chocolate festival my town holds every March, that I was wanting to do. I love the idea about magnets and pens. Might have to do that.